Best Moto Guzzi for Long-Distance Touring?

[SIR REAL ED]

Well, maybe you should consider getting one😉

Hmmm.... seems like a pretty heavy accessory to buy and carry around just as tip over insurance.  I'd rather rent one in an emergency.

Preventive Maintenance on those things can be both extensive and expensive.....

An old machinist once advised me to "Never own anything that can eat while your sleeping!"

[SIR REAL ED]

I agree with this opinion.  I grew up riding sport bikes but when I moved out to Utah I decided to slow down.  A yamaha roadstar popped up around me for a low price because it needed work.  When I fixed it and rode it around I was miserable.  The bike was way too heavy along with a couple of other annoyances.  I sold that and picked up a California EV that needed some work.  It was an easy fix and a huge improvement but it still feels a bit heavy for my preference.  I then bought a DR650 and felt at home with how nimble I am on it.  For every mile my Guzzi gets the DR gets 5-6.  If I ever decide to sell my California, it's replacement will weigh 450lbs or less.  I consider those 600 and up bikes overweight, not heavyweight.

Agreed.  While not everyone's cup of tea, a DR650 is an amazingly versatile bike, that at about 360 lbs wet will absolutely ruin you for heavier bikes.

Trials bikes at about 140 lbs wet make even the small 200 lb trail bikes seem heavy.

Motorcycles like almost everything else, are subjective.  Heavy and light, are relative terms like hot and cold.

The lightest feeling street bike I have ever owned was a Suzuki Savage 650 single.  About the same weight as a DR650, but the seat height was 4-5" lower.  When ever I needed to move the bike around I'd reach for the handle bars, then laugh as i needed to lower my hands several inches to actually grab the bars.

[Huzo]

My favorite is my V85tt, 07 Norge is a close second

’Sounds like a nice combination, but order is wrong way ‘round.

[Bulldog9]

Center of gravity plays a huge part.

There were two big issues with the MGX21 aka "Flying Fortress"

1. Combination of the 21 inch front wheel and rake made the bike very unstable at low speeds. Many people erroneous thought taking the carbon wheel cover off would help but it didn't. I played around with the pressures and minimized it but it still was very awkward and uncomfortable. A shame because the bike was extremely well balanced but the front end just didn't feel right.

2. The Batwing fairing cost front end lift and made the bike extremely sensitive to cross winds or turbulence from vehicles when traveling at speeds over 80 mph. I found that by adding the Isotta windscreen and fairing mounted hand guards to the top of the fairing helped, but you couldn't run up to triple digits safely and comfortably. I'm calling to my husband generally ride at those speeds but will occasionally drop the hammer and run at triple digits for a bit when the road is open and I need to make up time, or to get away from idiots on the highway.

It really was a shame. Above 35 and below 85 the bike was extremely nimble responsive comfortable b@d @$$ looking and a fantastic sporting tourer. I did several near Iron but days and was completely fresh. i did a 200 mile ride out and back to trade the 14 Norge for the MGX and took the same route out and back. I was immediately comfortable and my pace was quicker on the MGX even though the left handlebar stub almost fell off (terrible dealer prep). It was over time that the gremlins showed. The wonky low speed and unstable high speed combined with the Fatboy heavy weight status was strike 3 especially when I was facing a total hip and knee replacement. I sold it in 6-9 months while still under warranty.

[Kev m]

There were two big issues with the MGX21 aka "Flying Fortress"

I was really just commenting on how bikes that size can FEEL lighter than bikes which ARE lighter, but have a taller center of gravity.

[moto]

Last summer, I took the same trip of 700 miles in my Alfa Stelvio and then on my T3, continuing on much farther. As I arrived home, I realized how relaxed and comfortable I felt on the T3, better than I felt getting out of my Alfa. I do think a certain amount of mass and power is needed for long interstate runs, say 550 pounds and 50 hp. Beyond that, who knows what will be comfortable? The tendency for these discussions seems to be to suggest motorcycles that are closer and closer approximations to cars, but as I found, even actual cars are not necessarily more comfortable. I think we all agree the original question cannot be answered, but I thought I would share my surprising observation as another datum.

[Huzo]

The suitability of a touring bike, is not solely a function of how comfortable it is. It’s more a matter of how keen are you to head off…

[Bill W]

Pretty sure this thread has run its course but I'll give my opinion ( again ) anyway.

I'm 66yrs old 6ft tall and weigh 160lbs soaking wet. I do find my 2014 California touring a bit heavy ( but manageable ) in the parking lot, however, once I let the clutch out she is a sweetheart going down the pavement at any speed ( though the floorboards do get a little slippery around 100mph ). She is as much fun in the twisties as she in cruising down the highway. My only issue with this bike was the cracking in the exhaust header crossovers.There, I'm done.

[Moparnut72]

RE: MGX I had an Audace which is basically the same as the MGX with a few differences. It doesn't have the fairing nor the factory side cases resulting a lighter weight. The other big difference is the front wheel. The MGX has a 21" and the Audace 18". My Audace was a handful at walking speeds, I can't imagine what the MGX was like. I started to lift one off the stand at the dealership, ah no. I also traded my Audace due to slow speed handling difficulties, I am 160 lbs soaking wet so I had that going against me as well. It was a fabulous bike on the highway though and I do miss it. I never cruised much over 85 mph, Nevada, due to it getting tiring trying to hang on against the wind.
kk

[jackthebiker]

Going down the road my Heritage Classic is an excellent touring bike at 728 lbs. Now as others have said a low center mass and a low seat height make it feel lighter then it is. Of course it still feels heavy when I needed to turn around in soft gravel. My V7 850 Special feels lighter and is good for going down the road comfortably, certainly not as stable as the Heritage.

[Kev m]

Low seat height is great at stop sighs and duck walking the bike but I prefer a seat with some heigth to it so I can dangle my legs when riding. I also lile to be able to stand on the pegs to stretch my legs and shoulders adn back or put my feet on th epillion pegs for another leg postion.

Not for nothing, but I could do all that with my RK, ALL THAT. I'm not trying to change your preferences, just pointing out that many assume functional differences that aren't necessarily there.

[Kev m]

You must be built like Dorf.

You must not be familiar with a 32" seat height on an FLH.

BTW, 5'10" / 32" inseam.

[Huzo]

Tell me what “best” means in this context…

[Kev m]

I am not even remotely famialr with any Harley and I even worked at the York plant when they did the Dyna expansion in the 90's. I did ride a friends Dynahydroelectragli de FXIJBWEKJN around the neighborhood one time (totals distanve 1/16th miles and 4 right and turns, parents lived on a oval) 30 years ago and that spoiled me from ever wanting to try another. I have not even sat on a Harley since.

Which brings us full circle to why I explained the possible differences in ergos of which you were not aware ...

[inditx]

Wow, for a thread that the OP has gone AWOL on, we’ve kept this thing going.
Ride what you like and like what you ride brothers!
RideOn!
inditx

[Huzo]

Wow, for a thread that the OP has gone AWOL on, we’ve kept this thing going.
Ride what you like and like what you ride brothers!
RideOn!
inditx

Yep…
Why not pull it now mods.

[Kev m]

 

Yep…
Why not pull it now mods.

Why pull it at all?

Did we run out of Internet?

[Huzo]

We’re drifting.

[Huzo]

I'm considering a Moto Guzzi for long-distance touring and would love to hear your thoughts. Which model do you think offers the best balance of comfort, reliability, and performance for long rides? Any must-have modifications or accessories?

The responses are referring less and less to this question.
Old mate looks like he’s been given a taste of what Guzzisti have to offer advice wise and has gone off to buy a Xi Zing Ching or CF Moto 200 cc Urban Slammer….

[Huzo]

Fully aware of ergonomic differences. Cruisers aren’t for me.

No Perazzimx, that’s because you’re one of the “serious” ones. If you’re discerning enough to buy BMW GS’ by the dozen, then a Harley Ferguson is going to leave you rather cold.

[Kev m]

Fully aware of ergonomic differences. Cruisers aren’t for me.

I didn't suggest they should be.

But you specifically gave a reason that you couldn't do all the things ergonomically that one can do depending on the model/setup.

That was my only point.

Not a big deal.

[Moparnut72]

I had a couple of cruisers, a Harley Slim S and an Audace. When I brought home my Mandello. my wife said something like "what is that?"
kk

[Bulldog9]

RE: MGX I had an Audace which is basically the same as the MGX with a few differences. It doesn't have the fairing nor the factory side cases resulting a lighter weight. The other big difference is the front wheel. The MGX has a 21" and the Audace 18". My Audace was a handful at walking speeds, I can't imagine what the MGX was like. I started to lift one off the stand at the dealership, ah no. I also traded my Audace due to slow speed handling difficulties, I am 160 lbs soaking wet so I had that going against me as well. It was a fabulous bike on the highway though and I do miss it. I never cruised much over 85 mph, Nevada, due to it getting tiring trying to hang on against the wind.
kk

I don't know what the steering rake and fork length was on the Audace, but I have since ridden an Eldo which has the least rake of any of the 1400's. If I had bought that, I'd likely still have it. Super nimble, and NONE of the awkwardness of the MGX. I've not ridden a California Touring, but memory is kicking around the thought that there were 3 fork angles/rake for the 1400's. The Shortest was the Eldorado, medium the California and largest was the MGX.  Forgive my lack of proper technical terms, but I'm referring to how far out the front wheel was from the chassis, or wheelbase based on the steering head angle and resulting fork length. No idea where the Audace slotted in that formation.

Back on topic, I think an Eldo or Cali 1400 with proper luggage and wind protection would be another great option to the Norge. The only negative would be the weight.  Imagine if they could have kept that motor and driveline alive and stuck it in a CARC sized chassis. MG WAY overbuilt the chassis and frame of the 1400's in I would assume an effort to go after the Harley Cruiser Crowd.

[Moparnut72]

I agree on the Eldorado. I wish I had gotten one of those instead of the Audace. Even though the specs are pretty much the same among all the 1400's I found the Eldorado to be easier to ride. But my test ride on the Eldo was a couple of years before I got the Audace. The only differences I see are tire sizes.
kk

[Ncdan]

I had a 2015 1400 Tourer.
Really great road bike. Probably the best handling and preformance road machine I’ve ever owned, including the HD Electric Glide. Only touring issue was MG forgot it was supposed to be a touring motorcycle, which should have included a Sufficient element control fairing/leg guards, tail trunk and sound system.
Some of the earlier year models like the 2015 were plague-with the faulty TPS  issues.  After the second one failed in the first 10k miles I lost trust in the bike, as the sensors were very expensive and hard to get, which created a nightmare when one was hundreds of miles from home and one could be hundreds of miles from a Moto Guzzi dealership.
IMHO the 1400 was destined for failure from the beginning.

[Wfm333]

Before I do another 300km trip I need a windshield!
Anyone have some recommendations for your windshields? Dart and Puig I know of. Cheers
V7 stone 2014

[Kev m]

Before I do another 300km trip I need a windshield!
Anyone have some recommendations for your windshields? Dart and Puig I know of. Cheers
V7 stone 2014

It really depends on what YOU want.

You can go barn door to fly screen.

I wound up with a cheap emgo fairing on my 2013 V7 Stone, but I've got a Dart Classic on the 2018 V7III Carbon.

[blackcat]

The 2025 1300 BMW GS calls for the replacement of the final drive every 36,000 miles at a cost of approximately $1,500 bucks.

I'll take a Harley Davidson Pan America any day of the week over that over priced, high maintenance BMW GS

Edit: The service time of the 1300 FD is 48,000 miles but the cost of the drive shaft not including installation is currently $1,606.78 and likely climbing as the years pass.

https://www.shopbmwmotorcycles.com/v-2024-bmw-motorrad-r-1300-gs--base--r/rear-axle-rear-wheel-drive-suspension--drive-shaft

[blackcat]

I have plenty of friends who have and currently own BMW GS’s and based on their experience with final drive failures and general high cost of maintenance, I have no interest whatsoever of ever owning a BMW.

[PeteS]

Surprised the Californias haven’t got much mention. My EV might not be the best Guzzi for touring but then there is no Best really. It was pretty capable though. I changed the handlebars to lower, wider Superbike bars and added a fly screen over the headlight which surprisingly kept most of the wind off my chest. Stock seat sucked but a replacement fixed that. Power after tuning was similar to my V85 and even held its own on track days. Not too heavy with a low CG so picking it up not a problem. Did a number of 3-4k mile trips on it.

Pete